Creative Team

Becci Sharrock, Writer & Producer

Becci Sharrock is a writer, blogger and creative producer. She has worked for Live Theatre, Theatre Sans Frontieres, ARC and Northern Stage. As a creative producer she has worked with Precious Cargo, Josh Coates, Matt Miller and Leo Burtin. In her individual practice she is interested in how writers can work in different ways to create work that is relevant and representative of today’s world. She has been shortlisted for the Old Vic 12 and as of April 2016, she will be the Writer in Residence at Beamish Museum, County Durham, funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

What I’d say to myself: (To my 16 year old self) Enjoy being young, have more confidence in yourself and make the most of every moment!

Rachael Holgate, Participation Lead

Rachael Holgate is a freelance Arts Engagement Manager working primarily in community engagement, creative consultation and evaluation. With over 12 years working in community arts settings she has previously worked for a broad range of National and International Arts Organisations including Weave Movement Theatre, Ausdance Victoria and Dance South West. Most recently she worked as the Creative Programmes Manager at ARC Stockton Arts Centre where she worked alongside the community to develop numerous creative programmes and brought artists together with audiences to support the making of new theatre.

Her practice is focussed on working creatively with the community to develop relevant cultural and artistic programmes that bring about positive change.

What I’d say to myself: Bad times pass and good times are always nearby so relax and enjoy what both have to offer!

Allie Butler, Director

Allie Butler is a freelance director, producer and artistic director of tidy carnage. Allie trained in London at the King’s Head Theatre, The Gate Theatre and The Royal Court. She has directed new writing work for venues including Oran Mor, The Tron, The Lemon Tree, the Traverse, The Old Vic, Baron’s Court Theatre, Theatre 503, BAC, Southwark Playhouse, Shunt and The Etcetera.

In 2011 Allie created Go Now for Arches Live, and in 2012 moved to Glasgow and set up tidy carnage, a theatre company focussed on the fusion between new writing and devised movement-led work. Allie has created and directed all their productions: Black Barn (text by Gill Kirk) for the LOST One Act Festival; Dream//Life which was performed at the Arches, the Bike Shed Theatre, Cupar Arts Festival and on the Isle of Colonsay; Passion (text by Gill Kirk) which was performed at the Arches, the Old Red Lion, Women’s Week Festival, Vault Festival and as part of DanceLive at the Lemon Tree; Shame (text by Belle Jones) which was performed as a work in progress at the Citizens Theatre; REaD (text by Kevin Gilday) which was performed at the Arches, the Tron as part of Mayfesto and is touring Scotland in 2016. tidy carnage also contributed to Theatre Uncut 2013 with a new devised piece, Left, Right, Left.

Allie is a script reader for the Traverse and the Bruntwood Prize. She spent time working as co-director for Clean Break and community theatre practitioner at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester.

What I’d say to myself: If you don’t like your life, you can change it. Everything passes, everything shifts. Onwards.

Lauren Hurwood, Collaborator and performer

Lauren trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD). She is a founding member of Camisado Club, associate company of Northern Stage, who will perform at Soho Theatre in May with You, Me & Everything Else. Their first show Send More Paper premiered at Northern Stage before touring. Lauren recently appeared in her first feature film Bosc (Boxkite). Other TV/Film includes: Emmerdale (ITV) and The Ferns (Boxkite/Tyneside Cinema). Other Theatre includes: 10 Minutes To…(Live Theatre), Elf’s Christmas Toys (Gala Theatre, Durham) and Much Ado About Nothing (Bard in the Botanics).

What I’d say to myself: just go for it, have courage and don’t put things off! I’m still learning how to put that into action…

Luca Rutherford, Collaborator and performer

Luca is a writer and performer based in Newcastle and an Associate Artist of ARC Stockton. Learning How to Die is her first solo show, touring January to May 2016. Luca believes in making art accessible and theatre that is non-exclusive in form and content and is excited by cross media collaboration. Luca has written for classical pianist Yoshie Kawamura, making On The Edge of Piano Poetry for Books on Tyne Festival at The Lit & Phil. Luca is currently associate dramaturg on Adam Pownall’s GBS project involving movement, verbatim and new writing. Luca started making theatre through North14 professional development scheme at Northern Stage with Camisado Club, associate company of Northern Stage and continues to make a bespoke learning practice; training at international performance residencies with IUGTE focused on physical training and rehearsal, movement body and gesture.

Partners & Funders

Letters to Myself is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and also by The Cultural Spring.

The Cultural Spring is an exciting and ambitious project to get more people in Sunderland and South Tyneside to experience and be inspired by the arts. The Cultural Spring works with the best local, regional and national artists to ensure their programme really engages, enthuses, entertains and educates the 100,000 people living within their wards. They are one of 18 Creative People and Places projects, funded by Arts Council England. The project is driven by three partners – the University of Sunderland, the Customs House and the Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust.